A prominent cardiologist has challenged the rationale provided by Donald Trump for undergoing an MRI scan in October 2023. Dr. Jonathan Reiner, who served as the cardiologist for former Vice President Dick Cheney for over three decades, asserted that the claim of the MRI being a preventive measure is “not plausible.”
During an interview with CNN, Dr. Reiner emphasized that there is no MRI scan included in what is typically considered “routine, preventive care.” He stated, “There’s no chance that this was just sort of routine preventative care. First of all, it’s not part of routine preventative care.” He pointed out that the report released by the White House noted a chest scan and an abdominal scan, but did not clarify the type of MRI performed.
Dr. Reiner expressed concern over the lack of transparency regarding the nature of the scan. He remarked, “The president’s doctor didn’t even disclose what kind of scan. The president said MRI; all that the president’s physician said was advanced imaging. Did he have an MRI? Did he have a CT? Did he have both?”
The cardiologist further noted that the absence of information regarding a brain scan raises questions about the nature of Trump’s health assessment. “It’s not plausible or really credible to believe that they just decided to do some preventative screening for a third time this year,” he added.
The MRI took place at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, a facility frequently utilized by U.S. presidents for medical evaluations. According to The Daily Beast, Dr. Reiner suggested that the MRI was more likely a response to a concerning symptom or sign rather than a routine check-up.
When reporters aboard Air Force One inquired about which part of his body was examined, Trump dismissed concerns regarding his brain health, stating, “It wasn’t the brain, because I took a cognitive test and aced it, I got a perfect mark. Which you would be incapable of doing!”
Before the release of Trump’s MRI results, analysts expressed skepticism about his reluctance to disclose the findings, viewing it as increasingly strange. Steve Benen of MS NOW highlighted the bizarre nature of Trump’s comments on the subject, stating, “The entire saga has grown ‘weirder’ with every Trump remark.” He noted the Associated Press headline that reported Trump’s statement about releasing the MRI results, despite his uncertainty over the specifics of the scan.
Benen further remarked on the cognitive tests, explaining their purpose in identifying potential signs of dementia and neurodegenerative diseases. He asserted that it is possible for an individual to perform well on such tests while still requiring further examinations, including an MRI of the brain.
This latest health-related discussion follows a pattern of scrutiny surrounding Trump’s medical evaluations. As public interest in presidential health remains high, the ambiguity surrounding the MRI results continues to provoke questions about transparency and accountability in the White House.